G01F MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW, OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
Introduced: September 1968
Last revised: January 1990
Classification Context
- Section:
- PHYSICS
- Class:
- MEASURING; TESTING
- Subclass:
- MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW, OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
Description
This subclass encompasses instruments and methods for quantifying fluid volumes, flow rates, and liquid levels across industrial, scientific, and domestic applications. Coverage includes volumetric flowmeters (turbine, gear, and piston types), mass flowmeters (Coriolis and thermal devices), liquid level indicators (float, capacitive, and ultrasonic), and positive displacement metering pumps. The classification extends to flow measurement principles using differential pressure, electromagnetic, and vortex-shedding techniques, as well as apparatus for calibration and testing of such instruments.
Filing statistics
IPC subclass G01F recorded 157,084 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 8,612 in 2013 to 17,987 in 2023 (+109%), peaking at 20,298 applications in 2020. The most active applicants in class G01 are SGCC(STATE GRID CORPORATION OF CHINA) (41,447 applications), CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (32,952 applications) and ROBERT BOSCH (16,470 applications).
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
In class comparison
G01F ranks 8th of 18 subclasses with filings in G01, with 157,084 applications between 2013 and 2023, 3.3% of the class. Annual filings grew 109% from 2013 to 2023, below the class as a whole (+138%).
| Rank | Subclass | Title | Applications | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | G01N, Investigating or Analysing Materials by Determining Their Chemical or Physical Properties | Investigating or Analysing Materials by Determining Their Chemical or Physical Properties | 1,640,918 | 34.9% |
| 2 | G01R, Measuring Electric Variables; Measuring Magnetic Variables | Measuring Electric Variables; Measuring Magnetic Variables | 598,083 | 12.7% |
| 3 | G01B, Measuring Length, Thickness or Similar Linear Dimensions; Measuring Angles; Measuring Areas; Measuring Irregularities of Surfaces or Contours | Measuring Length, Thickness or Similar Linear Dimensions; Measuring Angles; Measuring Areas; Measuring Irregularities of Surfaces or Contours | 395,662 | 8.4% |
| 4 | G01S, Radio Direction-Finding; Radio Navigation; Determining Distance or Velocity by Use of Radio Waves; Locating or Presence-Detecting by Use of the Reflection or Reradiation of Radio Waves; Analogous Arrangements Using Other Waves | Radio Direction-Finding; Radio Navigation; Determining Distance or Velocity by Use of Radio Waves; Locating or Presence-Detecting by Use of the Reflection or Reradiation of Radio Waves; Analogous Arrangements Using Other Waves | 358,214 | 7.6% |
| 5 | G01M, Testing Static or Dynamic Balance of Machines or Structures; Testing of Structures or Apparatus, Not Otherwise Provided for | Testing Static or Dynamic Balance of Machines or Structures; Testing of Structures or Apparatus, Not Otherwise Provided for | 339,843 | 7.2% |
| 6 | G01C, Measuring Distances, Levels or Bearings; Surveying; Navigation; Gyroscopic Instruments; Photogrammetry or Videogrammetry | Measuring Distances, Levels or Bearings; Surveying; Navigation; Gyroscopic Instruments; Photogrammetry or Videogrammetry | 271,474 | 5.8% |
| 7 | G01D, Measuring Not Specially Adapted for a Specific Variable; Arrangements for Measuring Two or More Variables Not Covered by a Single Other Subclass; Tariff Metering Apparatus; Transferring or Transducing Arrangements Not Specially Adapted for a Specific Variable; Measuring or Testing Not Otherwise Provided for | Measuring Not Specially Adapted for a Specific Variable; Arrangements for Measuring Two or More Variables Not Covered by a Single Other Subclass; Tariff Metering Apparatus; Transferring or Transducing Arrangements Not Specially Adapted for a Specific Variable; Measuring or Testing Not Otherwise Provided for | 207,395 | 4.4% |
| 8 | G01F | Measuring Volume, Volume Flow, Mass Flow, or Liquid Level; Metering by Volume | 157,084 | 3.3% |
| 9 | G01L, Measuring Force, Stress, Torque, Work, Mechanical Power, Mechanical Efficiency, or Fluid Pressure | Measuring Force, Stress, Torque, Work, Mechanical Power, Mechanical Efficiency, or Fluid Pressure | 145,069 | 3.1% |
| 10 | G01K, Measuring Temperature; Measuring Quantity of Heat; Thermally-Sensitive Elements Not Otherwise Provided for | Measuring Temperature; Measuring Quantity of Heat; Thermally-Sensitive Elements Not Otherwise Provided for | 118,108 | 2.5% |
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
Additional Content
Limiting references
Measuring linear dimensions to determine volume
Application references
Milk flow sensing devices in milking machines or devices Food containers with dispensing devices for dispensing a certain quantity of powdered or granulated foodstuffs Apparatus for making beverages having water-level controls Measuring blood flow , Metering media introduced into the human body, e.g. drip meters Controlling the quantity of fluent-solid material fed into a container during packaging by volumetric measurement Controlling the quantity of plastic material, semi-liquids, liquids, or mixed solids and liquids, fed into a container during packaging by volumetric measurement Separating measured quantities from supply by volume measurement Bottling liquids or semi-liquids with provision for metering the liquids to be introduced, e.g. when adding syrups Arrangements of liquid volume meters or volume-flow meters in liquid-delivering apparatus, e.g. for retail sale purposes Measuring liquid level in wells Indicating devices for lubricant level Measuring intake air flow to generate a control signal for control of supply of combustible mixture in combustion engines Proportioning devices in lubricating systems Arrangements for measuring the quantity of conveyed product in pipe-lines Adaptation of level indicators to, or mounting on, steam boilers Controlling water feed or water level for steam generation Rainfall or precipitation gauges Apparatus actuated by coins, cards or the like with meter-controlled dispensing of liquid or gas Reactor-coolant flow measuring or monitoring in nuclear reactors; Moderator- or coolant-level detecting devices in nuclear reactors , Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing, or indicating condition, e.g. level or density of the electrolyte
Related Keywords
13 direct subcodes
Child Classifications
Navigate with arrow keys, Enter to open
- G01F 1/00 Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow
- G01F 11/00 Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it
- G01F 13/00 Apparatus for measuring by volume and delivering fluids or fluent solid materials, not provided for in the preceding groups
- G01F 15/00 Details of, or accessories for, apparatus of groups insofar as such details or appliances are not adapted to particular types of such apparatus
- G01F 17/00 Methods or apparatus for determining the capacity of containers or cavities, or the volume of solid bodies
- G01F 19/00 Calibrated capacity measures for fluids or fluent solid material, e.g. measuring cups
- G01F 22/00 Methods or apparatus for measuring volume of fluids or fluent solid material, not otherwise provided for
- G01F 23/00 Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
- G01F 25/00 Testing or calibration of apparatus for measuring volume, volume flow or liquid level or for metering by volume
- G01F 3/00 Measuring the volume flow of fluids or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through the meter in successive and more or less isolated quantities, the meter being driven by the flow
- G01F 5/00 Measuring a proportion of the volume flow
- G01F 7/00 Volume-flow measuring devices with two or more measuring ranges; Compound meters
- G01F 9/00 Measuring volume flow relative to another variable, e.g. of liquid fuel for an engine
Top Applicants
Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class G01, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- SGCC(STATE GRID CORPORATION OF CHINA) 41,447
- CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 32,952
- ROBERT BOSCH DE 16,470
- SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS COMPANY KR 10,052
- SINOPEC (CHINA PETROCHEMICAL CORPORATION) 9,573
- ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY 9,529
- GUANGDONG POWER GRID CORPORATION 8,615
- TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY 7,805
- HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES GROUP US 7,796
- QUALCOMM US 7,171